1. Photography
  2. Photography Education
  3. Techniques

How to Get a New Perspective on a City Skyline

This stunning image of the Atlanta skyline, featuring the Georgia Capitol, was captured in 2019 as I relaunched my photography career and explored the creative potential of drones. Inspired by a seminar on drone entrepreneurship and the advice of a renowned photographer, I embarked on personal projects to fuel my passion and hone my skills.

PPA Image Excellence Selection – “The Georgina Capitol” © Devin Day

To achieve this shot, I carefully planned the location, timing, and camera settings. Using a DJI Mavic 2 Pro, I opted for a manual HDR panoramic technique. I set the middle exposure at ISO 400, f/2.8, and 1/30th of a second, shooting in RAW format at approximately 250 feet above ground level. To ensure sharpness, I adhered to the rule of at least doubling the focal length of the camera lens (10mm) for my shutter speed, especially crucial for stable shots on a calm morning.

Shooting in manual mode was essential to maintain consistent exposures throughout the panorama and prevent stitching errors. I framed the Capitol building in the left third of the composition, capturing overlapping images in a snake-like pattern across the scene.

Considering the Capitol’s eastward orientation, I chose a twilight morning shoot to avoid backlighting and minimize pollution haze. The Sun Tracker AR app aided in determining the optimal time for capturing the scene bathed in the soft morning light.

This image represents my dedication to creating captivating visuals, a passion that drives both my artistic pursuits and my commercial photography business specializing in luxury architecture. You can explore more of my work at www.sundogimagery.com and www.sundogegallery.com.

Comments to: How to Get a New Perspective on a City Skyline

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

Advertisement

Authors